The Akaroa Mail, TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1883.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 677, 9 January 1883, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail, TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1883.

Akaroa Horticultural and Industrial Associatiom. —Tho Hon. Sec. of the above requests that all accounts against the late show may be sent in at once. Street Levels. —Attention is called to an advertisement of the Borough Council's re fixing permanent levels of certain streets within the Borough. Educational. — Particulars regarding the election of the Government School Committees will be found in our advertising columns. The Flegtwing.—The yacht Fleetwing is now in harbor, and will probably remain for some time, with Mr Maude's party. Mr J. Foster is as usual in com_sand. She arrived on Friday last, at 3 a.m., nf ter a rough .trip from Pigeon Bay. Vacant Chairs.—Cr Scott has resigned his Peat in the Borough Council, and Cr Waeckerle, who has been absent for four consecutive meetings without leave, has forfeited his. These vacancies have theiefore to be filled, and the returning officer advertises that nominations will be received up to noon on Wednesday, January 17th, and that the election, if necessary, will take place on the 26th inst. Frozen Meat. —We understand (says the Press) from the Secretary of the Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Eiport Company that applications from shareholders for cargo space for frozen meat in the s.s. British King, the pioneer of the New Zealand Shipping Company's line, to sail in March, Amounted to 19,950 sheep. This would require about double the space available in the steamer. The Marsala's cargo from Dunedin to Java was jettisoned owing to the refrigerating apparatus not working properly. The Summit Road.—lt seems that there will be little hope of getting the whole grant for this road this year, even supposing the Government are satisfied with the imperfect plans and estimates sent. A telegram says :—" The number of applications by local bodies for assistance under 'The Roads and Bridges Construction Act' is close on 100, but of these several are without the necessary plans, specifications, and estimates of the works to be undertaken. The total amount applied for is close on £680,000. Tho allocation of the vote will not be completed for some weeks." Now, as there is only £100,000 to be allocated, it stands to reason that only about one-sixth of the sum asked for will be granted in each case.

Obituary.—We regret to announce the ,- death, after 'a very-painful illness, of Mr , Harold H. Fenton, which took place at Balcairne on the 4th inst. The deceased . gentleman, who was well known all over the Peninbula, was a brodier of His Honor Judge Fenton, of tho Native Lands Court, and came' to. the Colony many years ago—we believe in 1841. By profession he was a civil engineer, and many works in the North Island still attest his ability and industry. He first came to the Peninsula as district engineer, under the Provincial Government, and the inhabitants have to thank him for some of the best roads in this neighborhood and the adjacent bay?. Mr Fenton took great interest in Church matters, was synodsman for Akaroa for some years, and acted as organist from the departure of Mr luwood to the lime he left the district. He was a man of genial temperament and kindly disposition, although sometimes a little outspoken, and his familiar figure and hearty manner will long be remembered on the Peninsula. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and young family to mourn his loss. Okain's Bay Sciiool.—3n Tuesday, Jan. 2nd, the annual school treat was' given to the children attending the Okain's school. The children, with their parents, mustered in great force in the school ground, and after partaking of dinner, the little ones managed to. enjoy themselves thoroughly with games, races, etc. During the afternoon a fine collection of toys were drawn for. and distributed among the children, and after taking a plentiful tea, kindly provided by the ladies, the children dispersed, to assemble again in the evening, When the prizes were to be distributed. Owing to the liberality of Mr Montgomery, and funds obtained by letting the schoolroom, the committee were enabled to provide a liberal supply of prizes, some £7 worth, which were supplemented by four special prizes given by th ; chairman (Mr Thacker). It was arranged to allow those of the scholars who had passed in the recent examination the first choice of books, the rest of the scholars to take their choice according to merit. The following were '.he principal prize-takers-: —Standard.s, Oliver Priest, Grace Hutt ; 4. Henry Thacker, Amy Harris ; 2. Charles Coffin, James Harris, Christopher Thacker, Rose Mason, Mary. Ware, Ellen Wells; 1. George Wells. Andrew Lyuan, Victor Graham, Robert Gilbert, Ada Mason. A special prize awarded to Rose Chapman for sewing excited a good deal of interest This prize had been held back from last year to bo competed for, the work of the' competitors having been sent to Mrs J. W. Stack, who had kindly consented to act as judge. A letter was read from that lady, expressing treat satisfaction at the quality of all the work. The special prizes given by the chairman, were, by his' doi'ire, awarded to the four most deserving children, one to be determined by the master, and three, by the votes of the children. The former fell to Rose Chapman, and upon the votes of ihe children being taken, Grace Hutt headed the poii. Rose Chapman, Christopher Thacker, and M u'tha Graham tied for next place, and on lots being drawn the prizes fell lo the last named two and Grace Hutt. The master (Mr Hutt; stated that as the even ing was so far advanced he must forego his customary address, which he the more regretted, an he undorstood .somo dissatisfaction was felt at the progress of (lie sciiool, and ho was prepared to t>how that tho work done here compared very • favorably with the work done in the majority of the larger schools. However, i i he would be happy if those interested in 1 sciiool work would meet him on some ! fuiu.e evening to address them. Tho ■ l nieeiing then dispersed. ' c

Sporting.—Attention is specially called to the programme of the Port Victoria Racing Club's Annual Meeting, to be held on March Bth, which is published in our advertising columns. Accident.—A child of Mr H.E. Burnett's, Lo Bon's Bay, only about three years old, met with a severe accident a few days ago. Whilst playing with its brother, who had a tomahawk, the three fingers of the right hand were chopped off, and part of the thumb. Akaroa and Wainui Road Board.— A meeting of this Board was to have been held on Saturday, but MsssrsCheckley and A. Wright being the only members present, business had to be postponed till Saturday next. The members present, however, seeing the urgency of the case, determined to open the tenders for the cocksfoot on the roads. There were several tenders, but that of Mr John Castle, at £13 10s, being tbe highest, was accepted. Presbyterian Church.—A meeting of the Financial Committee of this Church -was held in the, Church last night./ 'Present—Messrs Black (chairman), Bruce, Fyfe. and Eoulston. The quarter's subscriptions were handed in, and also the funds accruing from the late concert. Several accounts were passed for payment, and the quarterly stipend ordered to be, paid. Votes of thanks to those ladies aridgentlemen taking part in tbe, concert were passed, and the meeting adjourned. Duvauchelle's School. —A meeting of this committee was held on Tuesday evening, 2nd January. Present—Messrs Barwick (chairman), Pawson, and Libeau. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read—From Dead Letter Office, returning letter and bill of 13th September last re Presbyterian rent. From Mr W. Innes. enclosing cheque for £3 2s 6d, being amount due to committee for use of school for Divine service up to 30th September last. From the Board of Education, asking to be informed before their meeting of the 21st December whether Mr Mc j Clintock has entered for examination for | certificate, to be held in January. From |Mr McClintock, in reply, stating that Lis Home certificate should entitle him to Class E (Colonial), and that he did not intend to stand for D until the January following. Resolved—" That the Board I be written to, begging that they will insist ion Mr McClintock attending the examination of teachers for certificates, as they consider it unfair to certificated teachers that schools should be held by uncertificated teachers, especially when a teacher absolutely refuses to present himself for examination when requested to do so by the Board." From Board of Education, forwarding Inspector's report on school, &c, as follows :—" Duvauchelle's School, examined September 20th, 1882. Attendance —Number on roll, 53; average last quarter, 47 ; week, 46 ; present at examination, 50. Teacher, Mr McClintock. Result of examinatian in standards—Presented in Standard IV., 6 ; do 111., 9 ; do 11., 6 ; do 1.. 11 ; total, 32, Average age —Standard 11., 10 ; 1.. 8.10. Passed— Standard 11., 6 ; 1., 11; total, 17. Percentage, 53. Percentage of number presented in standards to number present at examination, 60. General Remarks—The attainments of the children presented in the 3rd and 4th Standards are thoroughly unsatisfactsry, but the present teacher is newly appointed, and cannot be held responsible for this. Until the pupils are properly grounded no real progress can be made. Although those who were obviously unfit for the work they attempted were presented, yet I found on looking through their exercise books that they were attempting higher work than that required for the standards in which they were presented. I would strongly advise the master to read over the regulations, and endeavor to arrange his work in accordance with them. The reading throughout the school was particularly defective, and very few were able to answer the siinp'est questions on the passages read. The copy and exercise books were slovenly, and full of uncorrected mistakes. The discipline and order were even worse than during the time of the •late master. The. school has for some time, been entitled to a mistress, but.-it appears that there is great difficulty in obtaining one. W. L. Edge, Inspector." From the Board, reminding the committee that the names of two persons qualified to be members, be sent in before the 31st inst., their consent having been first obtained. Resolved, that Messr Tancred and Cunningham be nominated, provided they gave (heir consent. Account as follows was passed for payment : —Master's salary for December, £10 4s Bd. The meeting then adjourned till the 21st inst., tha day of the annual meeting of householders.